Family Calendar

Honolulu City Lights display also features indoor tree and wreath exhibits in the Honolulu Hale courtyard from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Advertiser library photo • Dec. 1, 2001

The indicates admission is $5 or less, or free. Only O'ahu events are listed. Full-price admission is listed; the * denotes discounted (or free) admission for students, seniors, military, members and/or children. Call the venue for details.

TODAY

Honolulu City Lights, daily through Jan. 1, Honolulu Hale and surrounding areas; also: indoor tree and wreath exhibits, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily except New Year's Eve, Honolulu Hale courtyard; free. 527-6060.

"Santa's Christmas Journey," a puppet performance with a meal; breakfast: 9 a.m., $6.50; lunch: noon, $7.50; dinner: 6 p.m., $9.50; daily through Saturday; Macy's Ala Moana Center, Special Events Room, third floor. 945-6427.

Jingle Bell Express, a 10-minute sing-along train ride for children younger than 12, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2:20 to 5 p.m. and 6:20 to 10 p.m., Ala Moana Center mall level; the train depot is at Center Court; $4 ($6 for the 7 p.m. ride during Santa's Light Parade, daily through next Sunday); 955-9517.

Pearlridge Express, for keiki up to 4 feet tall; an in-mall locomotive that takes keiki on a tour through a winter wonderland, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily through Jan. 1, Pearlridge Center Uptown; $3. 488-0981.

Hawaiian Railway Society Train Rides, along the historic track of the Oahu Railway and Land Co., 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Hawaiian Railway Society 'Ewa Station; $8*. 681-5461.

"Christmas Fantasia," a musical production set in the Victorian era featuring the traditions of Christmas through music and dance, 1 p.m., Windward Mall; repeats 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. next Sunday; free. 235-1143.

"The Little Prince," a classic tale presented by the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's department of theater and dance, 2 p.m., Kennedy Theatre's Earle Ernst Lab Theatre; $9*. 956-7655.

Santa's Light Parade at Ala Moana Center, with floats, performers and Santa riding a 40-foot illuminated train, 7 p.m., mall level, beginning near Macy's and ending at Sears; continues through next Sunday; free. 955-9517.

WEEKDAYS

Vacation Adventures at Honolulu Zoo, for ages 5 to 12; go behind the scenes to meet the animals and keeper, play animal to inspired games and more; Monday through Friday; daily sessions 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., $40* or 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., $45*; weekly sessions 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., $160*, or 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., $195*; repeats Dec. 26 to 28; 926-3191.

Keiki Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Borders, Waikele; repeats 11 a.m. Saturdays; free. 676-6699.

Keiki Tuesday, with games, activities, 10:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Pearlridge Center Uptown; free. 488-0981.

Chess Class, 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Pearlridge Center Uptown; free. 488-0981.

Yona Chock, the Magic Storyteller, with puppets and balloon sculptures, 1 p.m. Wednesday, Waipahu Public Library; call one week in advance for a sign language interpreter; free. 675-0358.

Christmas Celebration, with crafts, treats for the children and photos with Santa, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Waimanalo Public and School Library; free. 259-9925.

Chess Lessons and Tournaments, for all ages; presented by Hawai'i Chess Federation and America's Promise, 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Windward Mall; free. 235-1143 or 586-6151.

Winter Naturalist, for ages 5 to 8; explore a forest and field with experienced educators to enjoy the gifts of nature, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday; presented by Hawai'i Nature Center; for fee information or to register: 955-0100.

Moonlight Tour through Sea Life Park Hawaii; bring a flashlight, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday; $10*. 259-2512.

Elven Workshop I, for ages 5 to 8; transform barks, berries, leaves and vines into holiday gift tags, gift wrap and ornaments, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday; presented by Hawai'i Nature Center; for fee information or to register: 955-0100.

Christmas Water Shows, synchronized swimming performances by Mermaids Hawaii, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Holiday Inn Waikiki; free. 538-3255.

NEXT WEEKEND

Tropical Plant Walks, 10 a.m. Saturdays, Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden; repeats 1 p.m. Sundays; bring walking shoes, insect repellent and rain gear; free. 233-7323.

Children's Storytime at Unity Church, 10 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays, Unity Church of Hawaii Bookstore; free. 735-4436, ext. 310.

Sea Life Drop and Shop, for ages 6 to 11; animal visits, Christmas crafts, snacks and more to keep children occupied while parents go Christmas shopping, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sea Life Park; $16; limited to 18 participants. 259-2512.

Weekend Fishing, a catch and release program, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden; bring your own pole, barbless hook, nonlive bait, walking shoes, insect repellent, rain gear, picnic lunch and water; free. 233-7323.

Keiki Storytime and Kids Kraft Korner, 11 a.m. Saturdays, Borders, Ward Centre; free. 591-8995.

Aunty Pua's Keiki Kanikapila, with singing and storytelling, 11 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Native Books & Beautiful Things, Ward Warehouse; free. 845-8949.

COMING UP

"Exploring the Reef at Night," for ages 5 and up; explore a near-shore reef flat, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 28; $10*. Register: Waikiki Aquarium education department, 923-9741.